Firm Profile > Van Doorne > Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dispute resolution: Mediation Tier 1

The mediation practice at Van Doorne is headed by Kees Stuurman, who also leads the outsourcing team. Marjolijn Lips and Arno Voerman are other key names. Areas of expertise include insurance, technology and professional liability disputes.

Employment Tier 1

'Top quality and well resourced', the Van Doorne team is also highlighted for its 'thorough knowledge of cross-border jurisdictional issues'. Els de Wind is highly rated for her 'remarkable long-standing experience in handling cross-border employment matters' and her profile in the profession further 'distinguishes her and gives her an enhanced and valuable quality'. Marjolijn Lips co-heads the team with de Wind and 'trusted and valued' senior associate Cara Pronk is marked out as 'a rising professional in employment cross-border matters'. Willemien Bischot and Steven Sterk are also key team members and Albert van Marwijk Kooy continues to advise on pension issues. In addition to advising on large-scale reorganisations, it advises on high-level dismissals, works council and union issues.

Industry focus: Food Tier 1

A substantial team at Van Doorne offers cross-border, sector expertise in areas as varied as commercial/M&A, real estate, litigation, IP and employment. It provides advice that is 'to the point at short notice and has solid knowledge of all areas of law that a corporate has to deal with'. Lisette Bieleveld, who heads the team and leads the commercial work advised Superunie, a buying cooperative for supermarket chains, on its acquisition of the BIO+ brand. Bart van Reeken focuses on outsourcing and IT agreements and disputes. IP partner Kriek Wille is advising Texelse Bierbrouwerij, the well-known Dutch specialty beer brewer, on an ongoing conflict with its former director who started a competing brewery under a confusingly similar brand.

Industry focus: Information technology Tier 1

'A well skilled and dedicated team of lawyers who deliver what they promise' is one verdict on Van Doorne; others report 'it has great industry knowledge' and due to the size of the practice 'can handle tough deadlines'. Bart van Reeken 'is an example of a negotiator who achieves business goals using his knowledge and charm in a very balanced way', while Elisabeth Thole is also highlighted for 'combining incredible knowledge of the law and an economical approach'. Counsel Louis Jonker co-heads the firm’s FinTech and the digital health practices. Kees Stuurman left the firm.

Industry focus: retail Tier 1

Van Doorne attracts praise for 'its highly valuable combination of in-depth knowledge of this sector and business thinking' with team head Lisette Bieleveld especially noted in this respect. Its impressive client roster span retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and franchisors as well as a range of real estate developers and investors; Agrico, Audi, Chartis and Hans Anders Retail Group all feature. In recent work, it assisted BCC in its negotiations with Wehkamp, the e-commerce retailer, in connection with an exclusive supply agreement for electronics and household appliances. Onno Boerstra is a pivotal member of the team.

Insurance Tier 1

Annemieke Hendrikse heads the team at Van Doorne and alongside Walter Hendriksen offers expertise in directors’ and officers’ liability, professional liability insurance, and fraud. The team is acting for many of the major insurance companies and corporates on matters including W&I policies, misleading selling, and a cross-border class action. Martine Höfelt, formerly a counsel with the firm, left the firm.

Construction Tier 2

The team at Van Doorne 'has an eye for risks and opportunities' and is also noted for being able to provide 'answers in other areas of law via one point of contact'. Its client base includes developers, government bodies, hospitals, international investors, and private equity houses. Group head Mark Moolhuizen 'is a skilled lawyer with an eye for justice and efficiency and thinks about the best solution for the parties involved'. Moolhuizen's work includes advising Radboud University Medical Centre on the procurement and construction of a new hospital building. The team is also handling a range of mandates on the development of student housing and high-value arbitrations.

Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 2

Van Doorne fields ‘a sharp and competent team’. Practice co-head Jasper Leedekerken and Sjoerd Kamerbeek, who was promoted to partner in 2018, are representing Innsworth Advisors in proceedings against Steinhoff Holdings N.V. following accounting regularities at the company which resulted in shareholder losses. Fellow co-heads Lisette Bieleveld and Walter Hendriksen are acting for Catella Bank against a Dutch real estate investor and the Dutch State Lottery in a long-running class action.

Fraud and white-collar crime Tier 2

The ‘intellectually rigorous’ practice at Van Doorne is 'comfortable working on international criminal investigations and collaborates well with other legal teams'. The group is led by 'excellent lawyer' Jan Leliveld and also includes counsel Ed van Liere. Their specialisms include criminal law and regulatory matters relating to environmental issues and industrial accidents, as well as work in the healthcare space.

Industry focus: healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Van Doorne's team heads, Willemien Bischot and Dimitri van Hoewijk, serve an extensive client base including private equity company NPM Capital which it advised on the merger of its healthcare portfolio company NL Healthcare with Bergman Clinics. Van Hoewijk in particular 'stands out as a one-of-a-kind dedicated corporate healthcare partner'. In other work, the practice advised digital healthcare service provider Topicus Healthcare on its participation in NetQ, the patient data collection company. Marg Janssen left in April 2018 to become a full-time judge.

Industry focus: Media and entertainment Tier 2

The Van Doorne team is recommended for being 'very dedicated and able to bring together the right experts in a team'. Kriek Wille and Louis Jonker are  highlighted for their 'tactical' approach to solving disputes. Jeroen Sombezki  specialises in sector-related corporate matters and Marjolijn Lips likewise for employment matters. The team has an established client base that includes Walt Disney as well as publishers, broadcasters, and gaming organisations. It acted for Erdee Media Group on a range of matters including copyright and data protection and also represented the client in an appeal case on alleged unlawful publishing and the legitimacy of keeping news articles in online archives.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

With a 'pragmatic and hands-on approach', the Van Doorne restructuring and insolvency team includes litigation and enforcement specialists. Lender side clients of team leader Stefan van Rossum include ABN AMRO and Aareal Bank and he is undertaking a number of cases on behalf of Rabobank. Together with associate Jelmer Baukema, van Rossum is advising on the restructuring of the Ter Haak Group.

Banking and finance: asset finance and structured finance Tier 3

Van Doorne has particular strengths in financing in the healthcare M&A and private equity sectors, as well as structured and asset financing for financial institutions. Roel Botter is a key partner in the practice.

Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 3

Highly rated for being ‘hands-on and practical’, Van Doorne’s practice has particular strength in healthcare and real estate financing, and handles corporate lending transactions for private equity firms. Co-head Angelique Thiele advised Cromwell Property Group on its financing of commercial property linked to the initial public offering of its real estate investment fund. Fellow co-lead Roel Botter assisted Vrije Universiteit with its €140m financing by the European Investment Bank and BNG Bank for its campus development project. Stefan van Rossum is also noted.

Banking and finance: Financial services regulatory Tier 3

Van Doorne’s fields a team of 'go-to lawyers for the Dutch fintech market' and also has a track record advising on market access, ongoing regulatory obligations and regulatory enforcement matters. Friso Foppes assisted Stichting Pensioenfonds with effecting a collective transfer of pension entitlements to the pension fund PGB, valued at €550m. The ‘dedicated’ Arno Voerman leads the team.

Banking and finance: lender or arranger side Tier 3

Van Doorne’s multidisciplinary team acts for clients including Dutch and international banks, alternative finance providers, including funds, and institutional investors. Co-head Stefan van Rossum acted as lead counsel to Aareal Bank as arranger of the financing of the acquisition by Vestas from DSV of two logistic properties located in the Netherlands and Finland. Fellow co-head Angelique Thiele is highly regarded and acted as lead counsel to Deutsche Hypo as lender on the project and acquisition financing provided to QP Amsterdam Property I.

Environment and planning Tier 3

The Van Doorne team is especially noted for its zoning expertise – working closely with the real estate practice. The team is acting for a client in respect of a large remediation matter and for another client regarding an enforcement decision made against it regarding breaches of an environmental permit. Cees Kniestedt and senior associate Annet Blokhuis are the main contacts. Tim Grundmeijer, formerly a senior associate in the team, left the firm.

EU and competition Tier 3

Van Doorne is appreciated for its ‘daring approach to solutions’, by one client and it has notable strengths in the healthcare, retail, education, media and financial services sectors, among others. The ‘excellent’ Sarah Beeston is acting for Fortum Holdings, the Dutch arm of a Finnish energy company, on the merger control assessment of part of its assets to a UK investor. Beeston leads the team jointly with Gijs Verberne. Anouk Rutten has taken a chief compliance officer role at the firm.

Project finance and PFI Tier 3

At Van Doorne, project finance is a core part of the real estate and projects practice. According to clients, 'what is different there from other law firms is that the work is absolutely reliable, nothing is forgotten'. The team acts for lenders, notably German banks, on a variety of developments including residential developments, retail outlets, hotels, and student housing. The 'outstanding' Angelique Thiele and Roel Botter head the practice serving a client list which includes Deutsche Bank, GreenOak Real Estate, and McArthurGlen/ Simon Properties. Recent work highlight work included advising BerlinHyp as the lender in connection with the financing provided to ten SPVs, owned by Reggeborgh, an investment subsidiary of VolkerWessels.

Real estate Tier 3

The Van Doorne practice handles real estate mandates across a broad range of sectors including logistics, residential and student accommodation, as well as distressed real estate assets. Team head Annerie Ploumen advised Aareal Bank on the financing of the new Hilton Hotel Schiphol which was acquired by Host Hotels & Resorts. The team, which includes newly made up partner Andy Furr, also advised the LIFE Group on its purchase of the Globe building and a parcel of land for development in the Hague from the Dutch Railways.

Tax Tier 3

Van Doorne’s practice head Ewout van Asbeck advised TPG and Patron Capital on the sale of their investment in Merin to Dream Global Real Estate Investment Trust, following a complex year long restructuring and finance process. Rob de Win specialises in turnover taxes. Tax litigation is another area of strength. Thijs Clement left to establish Norbrius Clement Advocaten.

Commercial, corporate and M&a Tier 4

Onno Boerstra heads the team at Van Doorne, which also includes Hugo Reumkens, Arnout Stroeve, and Friso Foppes. The group provides 'a full offering of M&A-related legal services and a highly experienced team'. Senior associate Steffen Alleman is also highlighted as 'an outstanding lawyer who makes the difference in getting a deal done. His knowledge, creativity, and negotiation skills put him on top of any legal advisory list'. It advised IRI Investments, a subsidiary of IKEA Group, on the acquisition of a minority interest in Mopet Beheer.

Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 4

Van Doorne’s ‘hands-on’ group remains best known for commercial and post-M&A disputes. Insurance-related disputes are another area of strength and Maurits Kalff is a key name in this space. Jasper Leedekerken leads the practice and recently promoted partner Bas van Zelst is also noted.

Intellectual property: trade marks, copyrights and design rights Tier 4

The team at Van Doorne 'works well together' to provide clients with a full range of expertise from enforcement and anti-counterfeiting cases to distribution, franchising, and sponsorship matters. Department head Kriek Wille 'is a smart, outstanding attorney' who is acting for Texelse Bierbrouwerij in high-profile proceedings including a conflict with a former director who started a competing brewery under a confusingly similar brand; Wille is also handling a number of other trade mark opposition and infringement actions.

Private equity Tier 4

Van Doorne is a popular choice for sponsors and management. Practice head Onno Boerstra advised the board and senior management of Akzo Nobel on their participation in the company's €10.1bn acquisition by The Carlyle Group. In other work, Jeroen Sombezki assisted Atomico Ventures with its €51m investment in cloud communications company MessageBird. Friso Foppes and Dimitri van Hoewijk are also recommended.

Diversity

Van Doorne 

Van Doorne believes in the power of diversity and change. Another perspective, free and open communication, and respect for each other are crucial to improving ourselves. Our success derives from being an organisation in which every employee works at the peak of their inspiration and capacities. 

Our society is multi-coloured and diverse. Van Doorne wants its workforce to reflect that. Diversity fits seamlessly with our informal and open organisation. We are a firm where people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, neurology, gender and sexual orientation are given scope to develop initiatives, take responsibility and be themselves. That way, we can offer the inventiveness and the open mind that lead to the best solutions.  

Male/Female ratio virtually equal 

Saskia Laseur is our Managing Partner and she leads by example. Our diversity policy has been acknowledged and encouraged in the form of various awards and distinctions we have received for successful policy in the legal profession. By signing the Charter Talent to the Top in 2008, we committed to a real, self-selected objective for more female talent in the top and sub-top levels. 

• Almost one third of our partners are female
  
• The male/female ratio of fee-earners is almost equally balanced

More cultural diversity and less distance 

We aim at diversity in terms of cultural background, religion and ethnicity as well. We help reduce the distance between graduates from minority sectors and the labour market. We have done this, together with VU University Amsterdam, partly by building a bridge to students from a non-Western background. We also have close relationships with student associations for students from a non-Western background. 

In the application process, we use culture-fair cognitive tests to ensure that no ethnic or cultural group will have an unfair advantage over another. 

In our office, we have a faith room to give individuals of any faith the opportunity to undertake their own specific religious practices. 

Our belief in diversity is nothing new. In the past, Van Doorne signed the declaration of intent named ‘Diversity within the legal profession’ from a wholehearted conviction.  

Acknowledgement, acceptance and visibility of LGBT individuals 

We have been closely involved with Stichting Forward from the outset. Forward is a foundation that focuses on promoting LGBT acceptance, acknowledgement and visibility within the Dutch legal profession. One of our lawyers, candidate civil-law notary Andy Furr, is a member of the Supervisory Board of this progressive organisation. 

Each year, we celebrate Pride together at the office and we support the annual international competition Pride Photo Award. We exhibit the photos in our office, to stimulate conversations about sexual diversity and gender diversity. 

At Van Doorne, we are always looking for ways to improve ourselves, including in the area of diversity. As of February 2020, we will start with a diversity scan at the firm. This research will be conducted under the guidance of a diversity expert and will focus on various forms of diversity. The aim of the scan is to inform and accelerate our policy on diversity. 

Notable Cases

Van Doorne assists Terra Payment Services (Netherlands) B.V. on the sale by Mahindra Comviva to a consortium of investors, comprising of IFC, Partech and Prime Ventures and the subsequent investment round. Terra Payment Services (Netherlands) B.V. is a FinTech company (spin out of Mahindra Comviva), providing B2B global transaction processing, clearing and settlement services to payment service providers (i.e. mobile wallets) as well as related value-added services. Terra Payment Services (Netherlands) B.V. was founded in 2014 and incubated by Comviva Technologies Ltd, a leading provider of value-added services for mobile operators. Comviva is majority owned by the multinational technology provider Tech Mahindra, which is a part of the Indian conglomerate Mahindra Group. 

Van Doorne advised Scandinavian Tobacco Group in the acquisition of all the shares in the capital of Agio Beheer B.V. from Highlands Beheer B.V. Agio Beheer B.V. is the holding company of the Royal Agio Cigars group (“Royal Agio”). The acquisition will be financed by cash at hand and debt. The transaction is subject to satisfactory conclusion of a statutory employee consultation process in The Netherlands and subsequent completion will require approval from competition authorities in certain European jurisdictions.  

Royal Agio is a leading European cigar company with a strong portfolio including brands as Mehari’s, Panter and Balmoral. The company is based in Duizel, the Netherlands and has approximately 3,200 full-time employees. 

Van Doorne advised Altor Equity Partners and its portfolio company Trioplast Group on its acquisition of the Dutch company Apeldoorn Flexible Packaging, a leading player in solutions for load stability and food packaging, from JPF Netherlands BV, an entity of B.C. Jindal group. We covered the entire range of services in this buy side mandate, including term sheet and SPA negotiations, a full scope due diligence, merger filings in the Netherlands and Germany, financing and structuring.   

Van Doorne advised Hill Top 4, a joint venture between Equity Estate and Arzan Wealth on its acquisition of the shares in the capital of Spectrum GP B.V., HB West NL GP B.V. and HB Cascade GP B.V. and the participation rights in Spectrum NL CV, West NL C.V. and HB Cascade Owner NL C.V. which companies own and operate Quarter Offices in Amsterdam, and the related roll-over of the existing bank financing. 

The Quarter Offices portfolio comprises three high quality office buildings – Quarter Plaza, Quarter Podium and Quarter Avenue – with a total lettable floor area of approximately 26,150 sqm and 431 parking spaces. Large tenants such as Aon, DPA, Maandag and Robert Half International are located in Quarter Offices. 

HighBrook Investors acquired the three buildings in the past two and a half years in three separate transactions. After completing major renovations in all three building, the buildings were re-introduced to the market as high quality office buildings with high services and facilities under the brand name Quarter Offices where facilities between buildings are being shared. Since acquisition more than 22,000 sqm LFA of office space has been leased out, meaning that the overall portfolio occupancy has gone up from under 10% to 86%.